Childrens ombudsman seeks right to probe gardai abuse

Emily Logan wants to be able to inquire into claims of mistreatment of juveniles in garda custody following complaints from children or their parents.

The ombudsman, who launches her first annual report on Tuesday, has powers to investigate complaints against public bodies, but gardai are excluded from the remit of her office. As a result, juveniles have no forum to which they can bring complaints about gardai.

Logan said yesterday: “Under the UN convention and the Children’s Act, the rights and welfare of children must be protected. I have a number of pressing concerns about youth justice and I would support a greater advocacy role for children in garda custody.

“These children don’t have access to my office and I would like to see that…